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FEATURE: Hard work and persistence pays off for skipper David Willey and the Steelbacks "As with anything, there comes a time when there needs to be a change of direction and a refocus... that was an attraction for me, to be part of that, and hopefully moving the club forward." The words of David Willey when I interviewed him on his first day back as a Northants player in May, 2023. It was the day it was announced the all-rounder would be taking over the T20 Blast captaincy from Josh Cobb, who had held the position for the previous four seasons. The new Blast campaign was just two weeks away, and then head coach John Sadler made what was a bold, and controversial, decision. Willey had been expected to miss the start of the Blast as he was playing in the Indian Premier League, but he returned home early due to a minor injury and was suddenly available from the get-go. Sadler decided he wanted the England man to lead from the front and made the ruthless decision to strip the well-liked Cobb of the captaincy, instead putting Willey, a player he called 'a global superstar', in charge. And although it led to inevitable frictions in the dressing room at the time, with 2016 Blast winner Cobb leaving the club by mutual consent later that summer, the decision has, in the long run, proved to be a good one for Northants. Willey's reign started slowly, with the Steelbacks failing to qualify for the knockouts in his first year in charge. The second season saw improvement as Northants secured a home quarter-final, only to lose it to Somerset. Year three saw more progress, as the Steelbacks reached a first Finals Day in nine years, only to lose to Hampshire Hawks at the semi-final stage. But in 2026, it all came together. Nine league wins out of 12 saw Northants top the Central & West Group with the best record in the country, and they then eased past Gloucestershire in the last eight. That sent them to a second successive Finals Day, and this time it all went the Steelbacks' way as they beat bogey side Somerset in the semis and then got sweet revenge over Hampshire in the final to claim a third Blast title success, and a first for 10 years. And it was that man Willey who led from the front, bowling and fielding superbly in two tight, nerve-shredding matches, and inspiring his team to glory. Four years on from returning to Wantage Road, Willey had achieved what he set out to do after re-joining the club from Yorkshire. And he was delighted to see his team do it in a manner that mirrored everything he has been drilling into the squad day after day, week after week, and year after year. Asked about the team culture, and the resilience and fight to win those two matches on Finals Day, Willey said: "We did it really well in the first game, but I got a bit grumpy out there in the second. "I try and control myself, but it just comes out sometimes, but if you can't do it in a final, what are you doing? Go and find another job! But we got there in the end. "There were a few naughty boy words and the lads found that extra little bit. "It is something I am big on, and the competitor in me I expect that from everybody else. "I ask that from everybody, and I think it is an attitude thing and a non-negotiable, and we have done it twice on Finals Day. "I have harped on about it for four years, I have harped on about our fielding for four years, and now we are here at Finals Day, we are catching balls, we are showing some resilience in tight games, and the trophy is the reward, we have got it." Both the semi-final and final could have easily gone the other way. The Steelbacks somehow defended 143 and 169 without batting 20 overs in either innings, and Willey was delighted to see him and his players come up with the big moments that proved decisive. In the semi-final there was Lewis McManus's stunning diving catch to dismiss top-scorer Will Smeed, there was the athleticism of Willey to catch Craig Overton's big hit while diving over the boundary, and have the skill to throw the ball to the waiting Saif Zaib to complete an incredible catch. In the final there was some exceptional fielding to turn fours into twos and singles, with one from Nathan McSweeney particularly special, and there was Luke Procter's calm and decisive run out of Liam Dawson - a moment that probably won the game. There was also some superb bowling under pressure in both matches, and when asked about those big moments, Willey added: "Again, that is an attitude thing. "You have just got want it, you have got to want to stop that ball. "We talked about it at the start of play on Saturday, to be brave and to want the ball. "In those big moments, want the ball to come to you, don't shy away from it and front up with your chest out. "We have gone out and done that, all the boys have done it. It was class." The exploits at Edgbaston ensured it was a day to remember for all those of a Northants persuasion who made the short trip to Birmingham, but one person who wasn't there was David's dad, Peter. A Northants legend in his own right, having been part of the teams that won the 1976 Gillette Trophy and the 1980 Benson & Hedges Cup, Peter Willey does not go to watch matches when his son is playing. But as it turns out, he still had a big part to play in the Steelbacks' success, having worked his David on his bowling in the build-up, with Willey Jnr admitting he was 'in a bit of a bush' with his poor form with the ball. And it certainly worked! In the seven matches prior to the semi-final, Willey had bowled 25 overs, claiming just three wickets for 225 runs – against Somerset he took three for 17 in 24 balls! Asked if his dad would have been proud of the Steelbacks watching from afar, Willey said: "He will be proud, and he worked hard with me. "I have been bowling some dross and was in a bit of a bush with it. "I went down to the County Ground by myself, the groundsman rolled out a pitch for me to bowl on and put a net up for me, and dad came down. "I did two hours work with him. "Also, a big shout out to my missus as well, she puts up with a lot of my grump and the self doubt I have at times and things. "And my kids as well, whether I do good or not, they are always happy to see me, so I am just so pleased and thankful to have such a good support network." So what next for Willey, who recently signed a contract that will see him stay at Wantage Road intil 2029, and the Steelbacks? "We have to evolve, and it is how we do that, but it's not really something to think about now," admitted the skipper. "We have another 12 months before we can start thinking about that! "Between now and then we can celebrate this win, and the boys have worked hard so credit to them. "I had to crack the whip a couple of weeks ago saying about the boys looking after themselves, and they have."